Hallegue, DorsafBen Rhouma, KhemaisKrichah, RajaSakly, Mohsen2009-05-282009-05-282002-10-16Hallegue D, Ben Rhouma K, Krichah R, Sakly M. Dieldrin initiates apoptosis in rat thymocytes. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 2002 Oct; 40(10): 1147-50http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/62164In vitro incubation for 6 hr to pesticide dieldrin resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of cell viability comparable to that of dexamethasone. In vivo experiments also demonstrated that dieldrin administration induced a dose-dependent thymic atrophy which appeared to be mediated by endogenous corticosteroids. Agarose gel electrophorosis analysis, revealed the generation of typical apoptotic oligosomal DNA fragmentation in presence of dieldrin. However, in response to high concentrations of pesticide, cells seemed to undergo necrosis pathway. Thus, it may be concluded that dieldrin induced apoptosis in rat thymocytes.engAnimalsApoptosis --drug effectsDieldrin --toxicityElectrophoresis, Agar GelFemaleInsecticides --toxicityMaleRatsRats, WistarThymus Gland --cytologyJournal Article